Time switch mechanism



Jan, 29 1957 J. J. EVERARD TIME swrrcn MECHANISM 5 SheetsSheet 1 Filed March 19, 1954 INVENTOR... W (5 Hf/bZWQy Jan. 29, 1957 J. J. EVERARD TIME SWITCH MECHANISM 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 19, 1954 Jan. 29, 1957 .J. J. EVERARD TIME SWITCH MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 19, 1954 Ill "ll" llmmlmmm nmmnn Unite grid assignor to Paragon Two Rivers, Wis, a ion The present invention relates to time switch mechanisms of the type wherein the operation of a switch is controlled by elements carried by a plurality of dials rotating in definite time relation to each other but at different speeds.

Specifically considered, the invention has for its purpose to employ the more rapidly rotating dial to cause a double throw switch to open or close quickly and then quickly to close or open again after an accurately measured time interval has elapsed; whereas the slower-moving dial serves simply to select time periods during which such switch-operating cycles shall occur.

in carrying out my invention, I employ a switch device that tends constantly to assume and remain in the first of its two working positions, that is, open or closed. A movable holding element tends constantly to engage the switch device and lock it in its second position. Means carried by the more slowly moving dial act on the holding element to retract it and leave the switch device free thereof at predetermined intervals. During the first part of each such free period the fast-moving dial prevents the switch device from shifting out of its second position and then brings about the performance of a complete switching cycle, with the switch device shifting into its first position and then back again to the second position which is then maintained, independently of the holding element, until the slow-moving dial releases the latter.

In one embodiment of the invention the fast-moving dial may be caused to rotate once during each hour, whereas the other dial requires twenty-four hours in which to make a single revolution. Thus a switch may be operated through a complete cycle, during one or more or during each hour of each day, with the switching cycle consuming as many minutes as may be desired.

A plurality of switch devices may be operated and, provided that a multiple fast dial is used, the switching cycles may differ from each other.

The various features of novelty whereby the present invention is characterized will hereinafter be pointed out with particularity in the claims; but, for a full understanding of the invention and of its objects and advantages, reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a front view of a time switch mechanism containing two switches and embodying a preferred form of my invention;

Figs. 2 and 3 are, respectively, a rear view and a side view of the said mechanism;

Fig. 4 is a section on line 4-4 of Fig. 1, with the power means behind the main supporting plate omitted;

Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are plan views of the three cam discs or plates that constitute the smaller dial;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view, similar to Fig. 4, but taken on a lower plane;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view, showing the dials, dial shaft and immediate operating means therefor;

Figs. 10 and 11 are similar, fragmentary front views of so said switch mechanism, partly in section, with the switch means in its first and second positions, respectively;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary View, looking at the switch from a point to the right of Fig. 4 or Fig. 10, illustrating the manner of creating a lag in the shifting of one of the two switches from its first position to the second position;

Figs. 13 and 14 are a front view and a top view, respectively, of the spring actuated holding lever which, until retracted, locks the switches in their second positions; and

Figs. 15 and 16 are, respectively, a top plan view and a front edge view of the main member of the actuator for the shifting of the switches from their first positions to their second positions.

Referring to the drawings, which illustrate only one of many different forms of the invention, 1 and 2 are two small double throw switches that tend constantly to remain in or shift into the first of their two positions. These switches are mounted, side by side, on the front of a rigid supporting plate 3, which for convenience, may be assumed to be vertical. These switches are housed in suitable casings through the tops of which little vertically movable stems or push rods, 1 and 2 respectively, protrude when the switches are not under constraint.

Mounted on plate 3, above the switches, is a vertically swingable actuator 4 comprising a more or less rectangular plate 5 and a T-shaped arm 6 mounted at corresponding ends on a shaft 7, that projects forwardly from plate 3 above the switches, for vertical swinging movements. Arm 6 is directly above and spaced apart from plate 5. The cross piece of the T is at the hinged end, and the free end of the stem of the T is provided with an upturned lip 6 A headed stud or post 8, rising from plate 5, extends loosely through arm 6, with the head resting on top of the arm. A coiled spring i surrounds the post and is under an initial compression, so as yieldingly to hold arm 6 at the upper limit of it movements relative to plate 5. Plate 5 contains two large holes, it and ill, disposed directly above the stems 1 and 2 of the switches. Overlying plate 5 are two lon resilient strips or fingers, l2 and 13,

5 arranged at right angles to the hinge axis of the actuator,

The ends of the fingers reone over each of said holes.

mote from the hinge axis are fixed to plate 5 in any suitable way. Each finger contains a U-shaped lug 14 that extends down through the hole underlying that finger for engagement with the corresponding switch stem. Plate 5 also carries two screws l5, 15 extending up through the same below the free ends of the fingers. When the switches are not under constraint, namely when they are in their first positions, their free ends rest on the upper ends of these screws. In the particular mechanism illustrated, the lug on the front finger at this time rests on stem 2 whereas the lug on the rear finger stands a substantial distance above stem Ti Therefore, when the actuator is depressed to shift the switches into their second positions, switch 2 is the first to be shifted, the action with respect to switch 1 being delayed.

Associated with the mechanism just described is a holder or locking device to keep the switches in their second positions until this device is retracted. This device is a lever 16, mounted on the main supporting plate behind the switch actuator, for swinging movements about a pivot 17 parallel to shaft 7. This device, best shown in Figs. 13 and 14, has a finger 18 that extends through a slot 3 in the main supporting plate and is connected to one end of a coiled spring E9, the other end of which is anchored, as at 26, to said supporting plate. Lever to also has near its free end a toe piece 16 that extends forwardly to overlap plate 5 of the switch actuator; the parts being so proportioned that the holding lever prevents operation of the switch mechanism except when it is forcibly raised clear of the actuator. Holding lever '2 a 16 also has at its extreme free end a forwardly projecting cam lip 16 Power for shifting the switches from their first positions to their second positions is delivered by a shaft 21 rotatably mounted in the main supporting plate 3 and pro ecting forwardly therefrom, above the switch mechanlsm. This shaft is driven by an electric motor 22 through a suitable gear train; the final element of this train being a gear wheel 24 connected to the shaft by a one-way clutch 25. This is conventional construction and requires no further explanation. On this shaft are two dials. One dial, 26, is driven through a train of gears 27, best shown in Fig. 9, connecting it with the shaft 21 so as to rotate more slowly than the shaft. The second dial 28, a composite one, is coupled directly to the shaft and, therefore, revolves at the same speed as the latter.

The relative speeds of the dials depends upon the re sults desired. In the example illustrated, dial 28 makes one revolution per hour, whereas dial 26 requires twenty four hours to complete a revolution[ Dial 26 is a simple disc provided with twenty four holes 26 spaced at equal distances apart near the periphery. Each hole therefore corresponds to a given hour of a day and night; and suitable numerals and legends are provided to indicate which hour every hole represents. Headed pins 23 are adapted to be screwed into these holes and to pro ect far enough on the rear side to engage the cam lip 16 as the disc revolves. If switches are to be opened and closed, once durin each of the twenty-four hours, twenty-four pins are needed. At any rate. the user inserts as many pins as the number of switching cycles desired during a twentv-four hour period, each pin being placed in the proper hole in the dial.

The parts are so pro ortioned that each pin, when it reachesthe cam lio 16 on the holding lever 16, pushes the lip up and thus frees the switch actuator 4; so that the switches mav shift into their first positions if not otherwi e restrained. After a pin drops off the cam lip the holdin lever snaps back into its locking position.

Dial 28 has two functions, one being to determine the exact instant when a switching cycle starts and the exact instant of its ending and, necessarily, the exact length of time required for each cycle; and the other function being to act as a substitute for the holding lever after the latter has been retracted, so that a switching cycle cannot start until the moment determined by this dial. Dial 28 is composed of two main parts in the form of discs 29 and 30 the ed es of which are cam surfaces. There is also a third member 31, namely a small sector of a disc the diameter of which is equal to the greatest diameter of the other two.

Disc 29 is fixed to shaft 21; disc 3%) is loose on the shaft and lies directly in front of and in contact with disc 29; and sector 31 is also loose on the shaft and lies flat against disc 39.

The periphery of disc 2% is composed of two sections, 32 and 33, differing in radius from each other. Section 32, which has the greater radius, has an angular length of about 120 and is adapted to press down against lip 6 on arm member 6 of the switch actuator to lock the actuator against upward movement. The radius of the longer section 33 is such that there is no interference on the part of this disc with upward movement of the switch actuator so long as lip 6 is facing this long section. At one juncture of sections 32 and 33 there is an abrupt -shoulder 35 to allow lip 6 to drop quickly; at the other juncture the shoulder 36 is sloping to serve as a cam to raise lip 6 gradually.

The periphery of disc 39 is divided into three sections, 37, 33 and 39. Sections 38 and 39 are of the same radii as sections 32 and 33, respectively of disc 29, while section 37 is a short section the radius of which is greater than the smaller and less than the greater of the other two radii. Sections 38 and 39 meet in an abrupt shoulder 40, whereas the shoulders 41 and 42 that join section 37 to the other two sections are gentle slopes. Disc 30 contains a long arcuate slot 43 and disc 29 contains a small screw hole 44 registering with the slot. A clamping screw 45 extends through this slot and into hole 44, to clamp the two discs together in various angular relations to each other.

Disc 29 contains graduations 46 registering with slot 43 and disc 30 is provided with a little prong or pointer 47 protruding into said slot and adapted to co-operate with said graduations. The graduations indicate in minutes the variation in the length of time required to complete a switching cycle through angular adjustment of discs 29 and 30 relative to each other.

Sector 31 contains two arcuate slots, 48 and 49. A clamping screw 5% extends through one of these slots and into a hole 51 in disc 30. The other slot is provided with a little prong or pointer 52 similar to pointer 47. Hole 51 is so located that the sector may be shifted to register with substantially the whole of section 37 of the periphery of disc 3%, or leave any desired length of such section exposed. Disc 38 has graduations 53 visible through the slot having therein the little prong or pointer 52, to indicate the effective length of periphery section 37 of disc 3% for any adjusted position of the sector 31. The outer corners of the sector are cut away to provide sloping shoulders 54 corresponding to the sloping shoulders at some of the junctures between meeting peripheral arcuate sections on discs 29 and 30.

In Fig. 1 of the drawings, the switch mechanism is shown in what has been referred to as the second switch position, namely where the switches are held against automatically shifting into the other, or first, position. Only a few of the headed pins 23, placed at random on dial 26, are shown.

Assuming that the motor is running, the dials are rotating in the counter clockwise direction, indicated by the arrow. As the composite dial 28 revolves, once during each hour, it has no effect on the switch mechanism until one of the headed pins 23 on the dial 26 engages the cam lip 16* on holding lever 16. The parts are so coordinated that at the time one of these pins goes into action, the high portion (section 38 or 38 extended by 32), of composite dial 28 is riding in contact with or close to lip 6 on the switch actuator, as shown in Fig. 1. Therefore, when the slow-moving dial lifts the holding lever clear of the switch actuator, the switches cannot shift until the edge of this dial recedes, namely, until the abrupt shoulder on the latter dial reaches lip 6 and permits the actuator to snap upward. The relation between the switches and the actuator and the switch stems 1 and 2 is then that shown in Fig. 12; switch 2 holding the actuator up and there being a gap between the stem of switch 1 and the actuator. Consequently, when sloping shoulder 42 on disc 30 reaches lip 6 and the switch actuator is gradually forced down, switch 2 will complete its shifting movement first. Then, when slope 41 on disc 30 or shoulder 54 on sector 31 reaches the lip, there is a further downward movement of the switch actuator and, finally, switch 1 has completed its shifting cycle. The whole shifting process is completed before the slow-moving disc again releases the holding lever 16 and ensures that the switches will remain locked until the same or another headed pin 29 reaches the tripping point.

It will thus be seen that I have produced a simple mechanism for operating a switch, or one or more switches in step or out of step with each other, to complete a switching cycle during each hour of the day and night, for example, or only during only one or any selected hours; with the capacity to vary and accurately measure the length of time consumed during each cycle; and with the capacity accurately to vary the relative difference in timing when multiple switches are shifted out of step with eachother.

I claim:

1. In combination, a double throw switch device tending, constantly to assume the first of the two positions between which it alternates, a movable restraining element mounted beside and'contantly tending to engage said switch device'and hold it in its second position, a slowly rotatable dial adjacent to said element, means on that dial to engage said element and render it inoperative to restrain the'switch device during at least one predetermined period in each revolution of the dial; a second movable restraining member for said device; a rapidly moving dial coaxial with the slow dialand having thereon means to operate said second member; for alternately holding the switch device in its second position and allowing it to assume its first position when not otherwise restrained; and means to drive the dials in such time relation to each other that the said switch device'engaging means on the rapidly moving dial recedes from the switch device to allow the latter to assume its first position afterthe beginning of each of the aforesaid periods, and then forces the switch device into the second position before the end of the same period.

2. In combination, a double throw switch device tending constantly to assume the first of the two positions between it alternates, a spring-pressed lever mounted beside and constantly tending to engage said switch device and hold it in its second position, a slowly rotatable twenty four hour dial adjacent to said lever, from one to twenty four pins spaced at equal distances apart in a circle on that dial to engage said lever and move it away from the switch device during a plurality of predetermined periods in each revolution of the dial; a rapidly moving one hour dial coaxial with the low dial and having thereon switch device engaging means for alternately holding the switch device in its second position and allowing it to assume its first position when not otherwise restrained; and means to drive the dials in such time relation to each other that the said switch device engaging means on the rapidly moving dial recedes from the switch device to allow it to assume its first position after the beginning of each of the aforesaid periods, and then forces the switch device into the second position before the end of the same period.

3. The combination as set forth in claim 1, wherein the rapidly movable dial comprises two discs lying flat against each other for engaging said second restraining member and having cam edges, and wherein means are provided to secure the discs together in various relative positions angula-rly of the axis of rotation to vary the configuration of the composite cam surface.

4. In combination, two double throw switches each tending constantly to assume the first of the two positions between which it alternates, a movable actuator adjacent to the switches for engagement with movable pieces of said switches toforce the switches into their second positions, the parts being so constructed that the actuator stand away from one of said movable switch pieces while remaining in engagement with the other when the switches are in their first positions, a movable restraining element mounted near and tending constantly to engage the actuator and hold the switches in their second positions; a slowly rotatable member provided with means to render the restraining member inoperative, at least once, over a predetermined period of time during each revolution; a rapidly rota-ting member coaxial with the dial provided with means to engage and lock the actuator, during a portion of each revolution of that member, with the actuator holding the switches in their second positions, then releasing the actuator at a point in time later than the beginning of each of the aforesaid periods and thu allowing the switches to assume their first positions and, finally, forcing the actuator through two steps, separated by a time interval, to move the switches back into their second positions, one after the other, before the end of each period; and means to rotate said members in definite time relation to each other.

5. In combination, two double throw switches each tending constantly to assume the first of the two positions between which it alternates, a movable actuator adjacent to the switches for engagement with movable pieces of said switches to force the switches into their second positions, the parts being so constructed that the actuator stands away from one of said movable switch pieces While remaining in engagement with the other when the switche are in their first positions, a movable restraining element mounted near and tending constantly to engage the actuator and hold the switches in their second positions; a slowly rotatable member provided with spaced pins, positioned in and adjustable along a circle having its center at the axi of rotation, each in position to engage the restraining member once during each revolution to move it into and hold it in a release position for a predetermined period of time during each revolution; a rapidly rotating member coaxial with the dial provided with means to engage and lock the actuator, during a portion of each revolution of that member, in position to hold the switches in their second posi: tions and then to release the actuator at a point in time later than the beginning of each such period and thus allowing the witches to assume their first positions; said rapidly rotating member being also provided with means to force the actuator, after the switches have assumed their first positions, through two steps separated by a time interval tomove the switches back into their second positions, one after the other, before the end of each of the aforesaid periods; and means to rotate said members in definite time relation to each other.

6. The combination as set forth in claim 4, wherein the rapidly rotating member comprises a shaft, two discs on the shaft and having flat sides engaging each other, one disc being fixed to the shaft and the other being loose, one disc containing an arcuate slot, a screw extending through said slot into the second disc to fasten the discs together in various relative angular positions, each disc having a high peripheral cam face and a low peripheral cam face, the low cam face on one disc being in two sections arranged end to end and forming a double step from the lowest level to the highest level, and an angularly adjustable plate on the latter disc extending out over the higher of the two low level sections to vary the effective length of the latter when desired.

7. A dial mechanism for a time switch apparatus provided with two members which, respectively, control the opening and closing of the switch: which mechanism is composed of a shaft adapted to be power driven through a one way clutch, a large dial loose on the shaft and having along the margin calibrations and switch-controlling elements adjustable along the calibrations, for engagement with one of said members, a small dial mounted on the shaft in front of the large dial and rotatable with the shaft, the diameter of the small dial being no greater than the space surrounded by said calibrations on the large dial, the small dial being in the form of two c0- axial discs lying fiat against each other and provided with peripheral cam faces to engage with the other of said members, means to secure one of the discs to the shaft, means to secure the discs together in various relative angular positions, and gearing connecting the shaft and the large dial to cause the latter to rotate more slowly than does the shaft.

8. In combination, a switch and a movable actuator therefor mounted adjacent to each other, the actuator tending constantly to assume the first of the two position between which it alternates during switch opening and closing operations, a movable element tending constantly to engage the actuator and yieldingly lock it in the second of said positions; a slowly rotating dial mounted adjacent to the switch, means on the dial to engage that element and hold it away from the actuator for at least one predetermined period of time during each revolution; a second movable element yieldably engaged with the actuator; and a more rapidly rotating dial, coaxial with'the other dial and driven in definite time relation thereto, having thereon means to engage said second element to force the actuator into and lock it in its second position at least no later than the beginning of said period of time, then to release the actuator and allow it to return to said first position and, finally, to move the actuator back into its second position prior to the end of such period.

9. In combination, a switch and a movable actuator therefor mounted adjacent to each other, the actuator tending constantly to assume the first of the two positions between which it alternates during switch opening and closing operations, a spring operated element mounted in position to engage the actuator and lock it in the second of said positions, a slowly rotating dial mounted adjacent to the switch, means on that dial to engage said element and hold it away from the actuator for at least one predetermined period of time during each revolution; a second movable element yieldably engaged with the actuator, and a more rapidly rotating dial, coaxial with and driven in predetermined time relation to the other dial, the rapidly rotating dial having thereon actuator operating and locking means that are in engagement with said second element at the beginning of each such period of time and become disengaged therefrom to allow it -to return to its said first position and then again force the actuator into its second position and lock it prior to the end of the aforesaid period of time.

10. In combination, a switch and a movable actuator therefor mounted adjacent to each other, the actuator tending constantly to assume the first of the two positions between which it alternates during switch opening and closing operations, a spring operated element in position to engage the said element to move and hold it away from the actuator for at least one predetermined period of time during each revolution, a second movable element yieldably engaged with the actuator; a more rapidly rotating dial in the form of a disc coaxial with the other dial and having a peripheral cam surface, means to drive the two dials in predetermined time relation to each other; said disc overlying the actuator and having its cam edge shaped to move said second element into position to lock the actuator in its second position before the first element is moved away at the beginning of each such period, then release the actuator after the beginning of such period, and then forcing the actuator back into its second position before such period terminates.

11. In combination a switch device tending constantly to assume the first of two positions between which it alternates, two movable elements mounted adjacent to said device for restraining it independently of each other against assuming such first position, the first of said elements being spring actuated and the second element requiring the application of extraneous power to operate it, two concentric dials mounted adjacent to said device, means to drive said dials at different speeds, means on the more slowly movable dial alternately to shift the first element into its release position and set it free to operate the switch device, and means on the other dial to force said second element into switch device restraining position and maintain it there during any desired angular movement of that dial.

12. A combination as set forth in claim 11, wherein the two switch device restraining elements are arms hinged at corresponding end-s.

13. A combination as set forth in claim 11, wherein the element-shifting means on the slower dial comprises pins and wherein the other dial comprises concentric discs of varying radii and adjustable to provide a variable peripheral cam surface for engaging the second restraining element.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,791,927 Geiger Feb. 10, 1931 2,100,284 Kriechbaum Nov. 23, 1937 2,249,237 Fulton July 15, 1941 2,536,133 Klammer et a1. Jan. 2, 1951 2,596,330 Everard May 13, 1952 i 1 warn 

